Merkur 34c HD vs '71 Superspeed

[Royall Lyme]

Gents,
I recently acquired a 34c HD from a fellow B&B member and I gotta say.....what a DFR! (Damn Fine Razor)

Anyway, I got my feet wet shaving with Dad's old Superspeed. I have been getting BBS, irritation free shaves with it over the last few weeks. When first using it I was getting the typical razor burn that occurs while learning the art of shaving with a DE.

I wanted to get a 34c HD because I wanted my "own" razor. I love the Superspeed but I just had to have a 34c HD. However my first shave with it created some burn and irritation that I have not experienced since my first few shaves with the Super. I thoroughly sanitized the razor before using with a good boiling, alcohol bath and scrubbing, and a 20 minute Barbicide dip. I used the same Wal Mart Personnas that have given me comfortable shaves.

Anyway, is this a common occurrence while switching to a new razor? Does the Merkur 34c HD impart a different angle on the blade vs the Superspeed?
It just seemed to me like the 34c HD was more aggressive.

 

[jlindy]

Anyway, is this a common occurrence while switching to a new razor?

In my experience... Yup. Different razor, different geometery ect... I now have four razors in my collection and each one shaves just a bit differently.

 

[Greybeard]

Gents,
I recently acquired a 34c HD from a fellow B&B member and I gotta say.....what a DFR! (Damn Fine Razor)

Anyway, I got my feet wet shaving with Dad's old Superspeed. I have been getting BBS, irritation free shaves with it over the last few weeks. When first using it I was getting the typical razor burn that occurs while learning the art of shaving with a DE.

I wanted to get a 34c HD because I wanted my "own" razor. I love the Superspeed but I just had to have a 34c HD. However my first shave with it created some burn and irritation that I have not experienced since my first few shaves with the Super. I thoroughly sanitized the razor before using with a good boiling, alcohol bath and scrubbing, and a 20 minute Barbicide dip. I used the same Wal Mart Personnas that have given me comfortable shaves.

Anyway, is this a common occurrence while switching to a new razor? Does the Merkur 34c HD impart a different angle on the blade vs the Superspeed?
It just seemed to me like the 34c HD was more aggressive.

It is a more aggressive razor, but not by a huge amount. It's more a question of getting used to it. The blade angle is slightly different as well as the weight and feel. Give it some time.
Down the road you might also find that different blades work better for different razors, but that really is a YMMV situation.

 

[Royall Lyme]

Yeah....I found out last night that a combination of a Merkur blade + my '71 Superspeed was an absolute disaster!! On the otherhand, my beloved Personnas that work so well with my Super did not behave nicely in the 34c. I have a sampler pack with various blades that I am going to experiment with in the 34c. Hopefully I find a keeper. What blade are most people having success with in the 34c?

 

[mdevine]

It is a more aggressive razor, but not by a huge amount. It's more a question of getting used to it. The blade angle is slightly different as well as the weight and feel. Give it some time.
Down the road you might also find that different blades work better for different razors, but that really is a YMMV situation.

+1. I get great results with a Derby in a SS but in my Tech, the Derby is intolerable. I love the Tech with an Iridium. If you continue to get razor burn with the Merkur, try switching blades.

 

[jlindy]

What blade are most people having success with in the 34c?

I can't speak specifically on the 34c, but I've found Astra Superior Stainless blades to work well in all my razors thus far.

 

[buyandhold2018]

I only use the HD for this very reason. I think part of the art of shaving is really getting to know your razor; each is slightly different and requires variations in technique; if I switch razors on a daily basis, it will make it harder to get into that 'subconscious zone'. For me, it compares to switching putters in golf, you don't want to do it too often, especially if your current putter is working well and you are very comfortable using it. YMMV though.

 

[Royall Lyme]

RazoRock,

I think you are correct. I have become so comfortable with my Super and Personnas that I can do a BBS with my eyes shut.

Crap! Now I have a great new razor (34c) and I am going to either re-learn on that or stay with the Super.